Levi Ackerman.

He read the name on the file with his eyes once more to check that it wasn't a mistake. He stared at the printed photo on the document then took a quick glance at the young man in front of him. It was definitely him. The brat had the same scowl in person as in the picture.

I expected him to be taller though. He thought to himself.

Before he left the precinct, Erwin had informed him that there's a transferee coming in that day as part of the reorganization. The new guy was actually his replacement. Management decided that he was ready for a senior role after his partnership with Erwin had successfully closed a number of cases over the years. In all honesty, breaking up their duo was a good thing especially for him.

It's hard to be in the shadow of the celebrated detective, Erwin Smith. With his good looks and mysterious aura, everybody in the city adored him - the mayor, the women, the men, Chief Shadis, heck even the serial killers would love to be caught by him. Those people did not know that behind that cool demeanor was a man who was relentless at solving a crime to the point of obsession. Erwin had an unhealthy passion for his work and in the course of their career, it unfortunately rubbed off on him. He shuddered at the number of coffee cups he had to drink and the few hours he had to sleep in order to keep up with his analytical and restless mind.

Nevertheless, Erwin's achievement was also his achievement so he remained grateful for being given the opportunity to solve crimes with such a great partner detective. His professional affiliation to him was definitely a boost to his credentials. That's why he couldn't refuse when Erwin requested him to assist his replacement in his absence. What his former partner failed to mention though was that the junior detective Erwin was taking under his wing was the infamous Levi Ackerman.

He heard unpleasant stories about this guy. They said that the brat could reduce even the physically strongest perp to a pulp and would shoot anyone without hesitation when triggered. He was not sure how convoluted these rumors were but a lot of people in Levi's former precincts would attest to his impulsiveness, hot temper, and notoriously filthy mouth. This guy got his partner killed because of his blatant disregard for authority. The word on the street was that he was soon to be kicked out of the force because of this incident but apparently management still found his skills useful. If he were some regular guy, he would pity him for being Erwin's new partner because he would definitely make him work to the bone but he was Levi f*cking Ackerman.

Well, you are his problem now. Good luck, Erwin.

He muttered to himself before curving his lips into a smile to make himself look more approachable. "Nice to meet you, kid."

"Don't call me a kid." The young man frowned at him.

"I'm Officer Mike Zacharias from Criminal Investigation Unit. Your senior partner and mentor is unavailable at the moment so I'll be his stand in for today."

Levi scoffed. "What kind of mentor bails out on the first day?"

"A very busy one. Erwin is just wrapping up a case but he did tell me to extend his warmest welcome to you. Come, I'll show you around."

He beckoned him to follow. They stopped in front of a blond woman with a short hair typing up a report and completely ignoring their presence.

"This is my junior partner, the oh so beautiful and alluring Nanaba. Is that a new perfume I smell on you?" Mike sniffed at the air.

"F*ck off Mike. I will report you for sexual harrassment down at the women's section. Some perp had been sent away to the city jail earlier so we have a vacant cell for creeps like you."

"Ahhh... I was just joking around. I'm sorry! It's just some habit I cannot control. I even sniffed Erwin the first time we met.'"

"Who is the senior again between the two of you?" Levi taunted the blond man.

"Who is this annoying midget with you, Mike?" Nanaba asked without taking a glance at the guy next to her partner.

"Oh right. Nanaba, this is the new transferee to our precinct. This is Levi Ackerman."

The young woman paused her work for a second then stared at her fellow junior out of the corner of her eye. She returned her attention to the computer screen and began pressing the buttons of her keyboard once again.

"Welcome Ackerman." She simply said. "Now leave Mike before I change my mind."

"Well we better get going then. Come on, kid. Let's meet the rest of the flock."

"Stop calling me kid."

Mike dutifully introduced him to the other employees of the precinct who had varying reactions to the infamous detective as soon as he had uttered his name. Some ignored him. Some ogled at him from head to foot. Some had a look of disdain in their eyes. Mike had divided his co-workers into 3 groups based on their initial reaction to Levi Ackerman: (1) those who hated him, (2) those who were afraid or intimidated by him, and (3) those who didn't care if he existed. He started to pity the new guy. He kind of like him now.

I wonder in which group should I put her?

Mike pondered about this last employee that they would be meeting. They were currently on their way down to the basement where her lab was located. He was a regular visitor to this place partially due to the nature of their work and partially because she was Erwin's close friend. To be honest, he hated it down there. The hallways stank of decay and the lab itself was a nightmare for his sensitive nose. He almost gagged when they stopped in front of a door with a sign that says, "Forensic".

"This is our final meet and greet. I will let you introduce yourself to our resident scientist. She will orient you about her work in the lab."

Levi raised an eyebrow. "You mean I would go in there alone?"

"That is right. I cannot stand the smell inside. But since I like you, kid, I'm giving you two options: One, you can ditch this session but you need to buy pizza for everyone later. It's a little tradition we have here when someone's new at the precinct. OR two, you can finish the entire orientation with her and leave us craving for pepperoni and cheese."

Levi shrugged his shoulders. "That's a no brainer. I'll just listen to her."

There's no way he would spend money on those motherf*ckers. He barely knew them and they barely knew him. He was stopping himself from flashing the middle finger every time someone looked at him with such judgmental eyes. He had made a promise on his dead partner's grave that he would try to get along with people. Then there was also his orphaned niece whom he had to support until she could stand on her own. He needed this job.

Besides, what harm could a little orientation do anyway?

"Suit yourself. You can change your decision anytime you like. We will just be waiting upstairs for our free pizza this afternoon." Mike looked at him one more time before knocking on the door.

"Oi, Hange! Someone's here to meet you. Don't scare him, okay?"

A muffled voice said something incoherent from inside the room. Mike neither asked the person to repeat her words nor waited for her to come out. He just tapped Levi on the shoulder and immediately scampered off.

Tch. That guy is weird.

Levi stood outside in silence while he waited for someone to greet him by the door. He was getting impatient as the minutes passed so he turned the knob and let himself in.

What he saw in there totally appalled him.